Creating a custom UPI ID in India is quick, simple, and adds a professional touch to your transactions. While you cannot manually type and generate a completely unique ID, apps like Paytm make it easier by giving you multiple pre-generated choices. All you need to do is select the one that best matches your brand or identity and set it as your Primary.
So, whether you’re a business owner, freelancer, or individual who wants smooth and recognizable payments, this step-by-step guide to create personalized UPI ID will help you set it up easily and enjoy a more professional digital payment experience.
What is a Personalized UPI ID?
A personalized UPI ID (also known as a Virtual Payment Address or VPA) is a unique identifier linked to your bank account. Instead of using a random string of numbers or default IDs, you can create something that represents your name, brand, or business identity.
Format:
[unique-username]@[UPI-handle]
- Unique Username: Can be your name, café, store, or brand (e.g., amit.cafe, priya.shop).
- UPI Handle: The bank or app provider’s domain (e.g., @paytm, @ptsbi, @pthdfc).
Example: rahul.business@paytm, priya.cafe@pthdfc.
Benefits of Creating a Personalized UPI ID
Before diving into the process, let’s quickly look at why you should create a personalized UPI ID:
- Easy to Remember – A simple, brand-based ID is more memorable.
- Professional Touch – Looks credible when shared with clients or customers.
- Brand Identity – Aligns your digital payments with your business or personal brand.
- Multiple Options – Many apps provide several IDs for the same bank account.
- Backup & Flexibility – If one ID/server is down, you can use another active ID.
Step-by-Step Guide to Create Personalized UPI ID
Let’s take Paytm as an example. Paytm collaborates with top banks like HDFC, Axis, SBI, and Yes Bank, and automatically generates multiple UPI IDs for your linked bank account. While you can’t manually type and create your own ID from scratch, you can set up a personalized UPI ID by selecting the one that best suits your business or personal use.
Step 1: Open the Paytm App
- Open the Paytm app on your smartphone.
- Tap on your profile picture in the top-left corner.
Step 2: Go to UPI Settings
- Select “UPI & Payment Settings.”
- Tap on “UPI ID” to view your linked IDs.
Step 3: View Available UPI ID Options
- You’ll see multiple pre-generated UPI IDs for your bank account.
- One will be marked as Primary by default.
- Options usually include different bank handles such as @ptsbi, @pthdfc, @ptaxis, @ptyes.
Step 4: Choose Your Personalized UPI ID
- Review all the available options.
- Select the UPI ID that best reflects your name, business, or brand identity.
- Example: If your default ID is amit123@ptsbi, but you prefer amit.cafe@pthdfc for your café business, you can make that Primary.
Step 5: Activate Your Personalized UPI ID
- Tap on the three dots (⋮) next to your current Primary ID.
- Select “Change Primary UPI ID.”
- Choose your preferred option.
- Tap Proceed to confirm.
That’s it! Your personalized UPI ID activation is complete, and all incoming payments will now be received on your new Primary ID.
Personalized UPI ID Setup for Merchants & Businesses
If you are a merchant, freelancer, or business owner, the process is slightly different.
- For business transactions, Paytm Merchant App is the right platform.
- When you set up your merchant account, you’ll need to enter your business details (like business name, GST, or PAN if applicable).
- Based on this information, Paytm generates your custom UPI ID for receiving customer payments.
Example: If you own a café and set up your merchant account with “Priya Café” as your business name, your UPI ID could be something like priyacafe@pthdfc.
On the other hand, if you’re just using the regular Paytm app for UPI payments, the app will create UPI IDs based on the personal details you provide during account setup. So, the personalization here depends on how you set up your profile in the very beginning.
Tips for Choosing a Primary UPI ID
When setting up your personalized UPI ID, the choice of your Primary ID matters because that’s the one customers, friends, or clients will use most often. Here are some useful tips:
Use backup IDs wisely
Apps like Paytm generate multiple UPI IDs for the same account, and all remain active. Set one as Primary but keep the others in mind. If one server faces downtime or you want to use different IDs for different clients/platforms, the backups can be extremely useful.
Keep it simple and clear
Choose a UPI ID that’s short, easy to spell, and free from unnecessary numbers or special characters. A simple ID reduces the chances of errors when someone is entering it manually.
Stay professional if it’s for business
For freelancers, merchants, and businesses, your UPI ID should reflect your brand identity. For example, priyacafe@pthdfc is more professional and credible than priya123@paytm. This builds trust and gives your digital payments a polished look.
Test before sharing widely
Always do a small test transaction after changing or setting up your Primary UPI ID. This ensures that payments are correctly routed to your bank account and prevents confusion later.
Author
